What’s left for me to do now?
I thought for a moment, but nothing came to mind that I needed to do right away.
Normally, asking for help from the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t be a problem, but this attack was significant in that it could catch the demons off guard. The moment I requested support from the Holy Kingdom, the demons would likely conclude that we knew about their plans and might either refrain from attacking us or take a different approach.
That would render it meaningless.
Of course, one might argue that if they don’t attack, that’s a good thing. However, the real issue is that an Academy, which exists to educate others, being attacked is a problem in itself.
That’s a naïve way of thinking.
If this attack doesn’t end in disaster, it’s true that we can safely navigate through it, but let’s remember that Maleficent, that lich, is supposed to be captured here.
While the others are unaware that Maleficent is meant to be captured in this place, it’s essentially a certainty that she will be.
Given that this lich is involved in the attack, she will fight by exploiting loopholes in the story and revealing weaknesses via the summoned spirits.
Due to the considerable energy expended in this attack, Arhen wouldn’t be able to assist much from the second year onward, but by then, the kids would have grown significantly, so it would likely not be a major issue.
That’s what I plan to create.
But this attack is different.
It can be said that we are at a transitional phase.
During the ongoing war at the Academy, should the demons lose and manage to find Maleficent just for a brief moment to sever the connection with the life vessel through force, the story ends with the protagonist triumphantly capturing her with Arhen’s help after a long struggle against her.
This is the first reason why she must be captured here.
If she manages to evade capture here and we show signs of realizing an attack is imminent, the future could drastically change, making it impossible for me to prepare anymore.
At the very least, the main storyline must unfold as planned, allowing me some measure of preparation; if Maleficent, one of the Demon King Army’s executives, survives this point in time, it will cause a tremendous butterfly effect.
It would be akin to losing my only merit of knowing the future.
To ensure a peaceful world and maintain my concept of living a fun Dark Mage life until I return, such an outcome was unacceptable.
Now, the second reason.
This opportunity is effectively the last chance to capture Maleficent.
It’s the last chance because she has yet to reveal herself, and thus there’s been no opportunity to capture her, which may sound contradictory, but it can be said that this is indeed the final chance since we don’t know when or where she might appear again in the future.
Thus, despite the potential risks, I cannot give up on this chance.
Moreover, even though it’s risky, we are confronting the situation fully prepared; it makes it questionable whether we can even call it dangerous.
In fact, being attacked while completely unaware would be far more risky; luring the opponent into complacency and executing the attack after fully preparing feels strategically sound rather than dangerous, wouldn’t it?
While it’s disheartening to use the students as bait…
‘Considering the current situation, I can’t afford to worry about every little detail…’
Failing to capture Maleficent would be a devastating blow.
At the very least, I was certain of that.
Every annoying element I encountered within the game was due to that being.
“… Sister?”
So no matter what, I must capture her this time and grow to the point where I can suppress the Demon King before his resurrection.
“Sister!”
“[… Huh? Yes?]”
“Are you alright? I was worried since you didn’t respond for a while.”
Did I worry her?
It seems she was concerned since I didn’t respond even after she called while I was in prayer, maintaining the same posture.
I smiled and assured her that I was fine.
Now that I think about it, it’s almost time.
“[Then I’ll head to the confession room first.]”
I said that and moved on.
I don’t mean to say this, but I find it more comfortable to hear others confess their usual sins in confession rather than studying.
I never really liked studying anyway.
I mean, I’m a saint; is there really a need to?
‘Hmm… It might seem a bit off if a saint is a complete dolt.’
I just dislike studying, but when I actually do it, I tend to do quite well.
During my school days, I often maintained high grades when pushed by my parents to study rigorous subjects.
But I prefer it when I don’t have to.
Thinking that to myself, I entered the confession room, which changes frequently, and took a seat.
After about five minutes, while I was organizing my plans and checking for any overlooked details, someone abruptly opened the door and walked in.
I was hoping no one would come in.
Even though I silently wished for that, now that someone entered, I had to do my best.
A priest should not concern themselves with who the other person is.
After all, divulging what a confessor has confessed to someone would be inherently wrong.
And having done this, I’ve heard all sorts of stories…
It makes it clear just how much sin people commit in their everyday lives.
But still…
It’s quite something to see individuals come in to confess even the kinds of sins that make me think, “This is just wrong.”
Does God really exist?
“I’ve come to confess my sins.”
The moment I heard the voice, my eyes widened.
Normally, confession involves listening to sins and repenting to God.
While tasks can increase as one delves deeper, that’s the basic idea.
Well… I bring this up for a reason…
‘Why are you here?’
It’s Evan.
No matter how I think about it, that voice belongs to Evan.
I mean, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize it.
‘Why on earth is he here…?’
What on earth is he doing entering to confess?
We’ve spent time together, so I’m pretty sure there wasn’t anything he could’ve done that would warrant confession.
Did he do something while I wasn’t around?
“Not long ago… I went to the beach with the person I like and their friends.”
Oh… right, that happened.
Even though it was primarily for a trial and to collect sacred items, it was essentially a trip to have fun together.
We spent a considerable amount of time in the trial, but since we came back well-rested, saying we had gone for a bit of fun was totally valid.
But he’s talking about the person he likes.
‘Seems like I’ve felt something similar happen before…’
I think I’ve heard Evan’s confession before.
After a confession, people usually forget what they’ve shared, so I can’t recall whether it happened or not…
But that’s beside the point.
“At that place… I saw the person I like wearing a swimsuit for the first time.”
“…”
Oh… I see.
“I know I shouldn’t have these feelings, but… I couldn’t take my eyes off them.”
Wait, why are you saying this?
Aren’t you the Hero?
Can you really talk about this in confession?
Well, it’s not like it’s an entirely strange thing.
If I hadn’t been the one listening, I wouldn’t have even recognized Evan, so clearly I wouldn’t have known that a hero was confessing something like this.
So, I understand that Evan feels at ease and is willing to share.
I get that, but…
Why, of all days, did he choose this moment, just when I entered the room to confess?
It felt almost like a twist of fate.
“Crassly… I, who couldn’t take my eyes off them, found it hard to even make eye contact and kept looking away.”
The bigger problem was due to something that happened in the recent trial.
Previously, I thought Evan liked either Stella or Uriel.
If my previous feelings were still intact, I might have felt overly joyous, thinking “Finally! About time!” deep down.
However, due to an incident that occurred in the recent trial, I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
The person he mentions, the one in the swimsuit…
Could it be…
“…///”
Is he talking about me?
That doubt kept creeping into my mind.
…
I felt like I’d burst from embarrassment, d*mn it…
“What should I do…”
I don’t even know…
